Combined amplifying and rectifying system



u 1933- M. E. MACKSOUD COMBINED AMPLIFYING AND RECTIFYING SYSTEM Filed July 3, 1926 2 SheetsSheet l Inventor 7 #3 4/4 /%('Z:oaa(

Byflzwawrim Attorney 1933- M. E. MACKSOUD 1,920,576

COMBINED AMPLIFYING AND RECTIFYING SYSTEM Filed July 3, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor ByQZ/M 505M.

Attorney Patented Aug. 1, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COIHBINED AMPL IFYING AND RECTIFYING SYSTEM Michel E. Macksoud, New York, N. Y., assignor to The Electron Corporation, East Orange,

Claims.

This invention relates to systems for amplifying and rectifying alternating oscillating and variable currents independently and in combination, and is particularly adapted for use in con- 5 junction with radiant energy systems and for adapting said systems to operate from power supply circuits generally used for city lighting,

purposes which may be either direct, pulsating,

or alternating currents. 10 This invention comprehends the provision of an amplifying and rectifying system either independent of each other or combined for employing and operating a translating device forming the subject matter of the invention disclosed in the co-pending application bearing a successive serial number hereto and filed of even date herewith.

The invention further comprehends the provision of circuit means for operation in conjunction with the four elements tube disclosed in the co-pending application herein mentioned to amplify and rectify various oscillation frequencies such as are common to the transmission of intelligence by radiant energy, the reception and reproor oscillating characteristics used for power purposes in order to transform such currents for use in any desired manner together with means for controlling the potential and characteristics of the transformed current.

The invention further includes the provision of means associated in the four element tube with suitable associated circuit means adapted to increase the selectivity of the circuit means and translating device for desired oscillation frequencies, currents, or potentials, and for the separation and removal of undesirable currents and potential which are known to effect the efficient operation of devices and circuits of this character due to remote and uncontrollable sources.

A further object of the invention includes the provision of suitable cooperative circuits which are adapted to utilize the operation of a four element tube having a pair of electron emitting electrodes in which independent operations are performed in independent circuits associated with said electron emitting electrodes in order that more than one character of varying or alternating current may be amplified or rectified according to the results desired for use in any manner known in the art.

The invention comprehends numerous other objects and improvements in the method and manner or associating the circuits with translating devices particularly of the type disclosed in duction thereof, or the rectification of varying REISSUH) the co-pending application herein mentioned which are more particularly pointed out in the following description and in the claims directed to the preferred circuit structure or arrangement,

it being understood, however, that [numerous 6. other methods and circuits connections may be made for employing the principles of this invention which are clearly within the scope of the invention as set forth and claimed herewith.

In the drawings forming part of this application:-

' Figure 1 is a circuit diagram of a radiant energy receiving system employing the principles of this invention, wherein the translating devices are employed as full wave power current rectifier in addition to their function as amplifiers and rectifiers for radio frequency oscillations, and in which suitable resistance control means is employed in conjunction with a filter for utilizing rectified power in the operation of the radiant energy system.

Fig. 2 is a wiring diagram of a system similar to Fig 1, wherein the power from a suitable alternating or oscillating source has its potential varied by transformer means under suitable control which is rectified by the operation of the electron discharge devices employed in the operation of the radiant energy receiving system, and in conjunction with which suitable means is associated for discharging frequencies of an undesired character.

Fig. 3 is a wiring diagram of a radiant energy system using electron translating devices constructed to provide half wave rectifiers for power currents and suitable circuit means employing two or more such devices for rectifying the full wave of the power current.

Fig. 4 is a wiring diagram illustrating the employment of translating devices utilizing gas filled envelopes or tubes as distinguished from evacuated containers contemplated by the circuits illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3.

In Fig. 1, a suitable three circuit amplifying system .is illustrated diagrammatically employing the improvements of the present invention and in which a suitable antenna circuit supplies the'device 1 with energy which is impressed upon the circuit employing the devices 2 and 3 which are coupled with and form the input circuit for the translating device 4 having the terminals of the circuit electrically connected to the grid 5 and the return circuit of which is connected to the cathode 6 through the wire 7.

The plate 8 is connected with the output circuit including the device 9 which is impressed including the device 11 of the detector circuit which is connected with the grid 12 of the electron discharge device 13 while the return for the grid is connected with the wire suitably connected with the cathode'14 of the tube or translating device 13.

The output circuit of the detector system has the anode 15 thereof electrically connected to the choke coil 16 and the feed back 17 which in turn is connected with the coupling device 18 and through the wire 19 receives a positive potential from the wire 10. For further amplification of the signals, there is shown in Fig. 1. an audio amplifying system including the translating device 20 having an input circuit connected with thecoupling device 18, the grid 21 and the cathode 22, the same manner as is described in connection with the input circuit for thetube or translating devices 4 and 13.respectively. A suitable sound reproducing device 23 is included in the output circuit of the translating device 20 and having connection with the anode 24 thereof with the return circuit connected by the wire 25 to the circuit wire 10 for receiving the potential to be" impressed on the anode 24.

A general circuit arrangement described above is common and well known in the art and includes associated circuits for amplifying radio frequencies, rectifying such amplified frequencies to produce audio frequencies and then amplifying the audio currents to reproduce adesired volume of sound transmitted or received by the system.

It is to be understood from this disclosure that the devices 4, 13 and 20 may therefore be used in any circuit combination for the various functions described and that the circuit illustrated is merely for the purpose of' illustrating the various functions which the translating devices used in conjunction with this invention will perform. The translating devices 4, 13 and 20 are each of the four electrode type as disclosed in the copending application above mentioned, in which the cathode 6 may be formed by one or more sleeves or other forms a of electrode structure adapted to be electron emitting when heated so that the receiving system described will operate in the usual and well known manner in the art with the cooperation between the cathode grid and anode of each of the translating devices, 13, 4 and 20.

This invention provides the independent electrode 26 in each of the devices 4, l3 and 20 which forms the fourth element of the tubes or devices in the form for most purposes of an electron emitting heating fllament. This filament or heating means is independent of electrical connection with the cathode 6 except as will be hereafter pointed out in connection with the cooperationbetween these electrodes, and is constructed to be of a non-inductive character. The opposite terminals of the filament of the heating element 26 of each translating device is electrically connected to the opposite terminal of a power circuit including the wires 27 and 28 respectively. This power circuit may receive energy from any source preferably that used for lighting purposes in cities and the like which may be either alternating or direct current, as are now well known in the art. These heating elements 26 are constructed for operation preferably on circuits of this character and serve to heat the cathodes 6 sufficiently that they will produce an electron flow of desired intensity for the operation of the amplifying system. a

In this operation of the amplifying system, the

cathode 6 prevents electron discharge from the heating element 26 for the production of undo-- sired current flow from this heating element, so

that in the construction of the translating devices it is found that additional functions are obtained 1 through the cooperation of the elements in the tube or translating device of which advantage is taken by this invention. This includes the cooperation between the heating element and the cathode 6 when the heating element or electrode is adapted to provide an electron emission which flows toward the cathode in which this electron emission is utilized with the heating element and cathode for rectifying the power of current for independent use in-any desired manner. This in-- vention in producingthi's result utilizes the rectification of the power currents for impressing the desired potentials in the amplifying system of the radiant energy receiving circuits above described.

With reference to Fig. 1, it wili'be noted that each of the cathodes'G are formed with a pair of independent elements 29 and 30 respectively which are electrically connected by the wires 31 and 32 respectively with the opposite terminals of a potentiometer 33 while the third or movable terminal of the potentiometer is suitably connected with the wire 7 heretofore mentioned. A second potentiometer as illustrated in Fig. l, is indicated in 34 having the stationary terminals thereof. connected to the wires 27 and 28 while no the adjustable contact point is connected to the wire 10 heretofore described. These wires 10 and 7 with the potentiometers 33 and 34 associated in the power circuit and with the cathode elements 29 and 30 respectively, form a circuit for utilizing the heating element 26 and the cathode 6 as a current rectifier in which the rectifier current is supplied to the circuit formed by the wires 10 and 7 between which a desired potential difference is obtained according to the adjustment of the movable contacts of the potentiometers, 33 and 34. In order to smooth out the ripples or variations in the rectified currents a suitable filtering system including the choke coil 36 and the filtering condensers 3'? are interposed in circuit with the wires 10 and 7 in order that the rectified power will produce a substantially .direct current supply at a desired potential.

This potential is utilized to impressthe "anodes of the devices 4, 13 and 20 with the positive oper- 6O ing element 52 in each of the translating devices a tive potential impressed in the output circuit of each system for the operation of the anode therein, it is to be understood that the terminal of the capacity connected with this circuit will have a positive polarity and as the other terminals of the capacity must necessarily have a negative polarity equal and opposite to the positive polarity impressed, the grids of the input circuits so connected with these capacities 38 will be impressed with a desired grid bias controlled by high resistance 38' in order to insure the efiicientoperation of the amplifying system.

From the above description in connection with the circuit shown in Fig. 1, that there there are three independent circuits functioning in a manner to produce cooperation and a single result in a highly efiicient manner in which any form of a radiant energy receiving system is operated by a source of power independent of the system of any desired character such as house lighting power supply systems used in cities and that a third circuit operates in conjunction with these two systems to supply rectified power for the operation for the receiving system in which the translating devices are operated by the power from the power circuit under the controlof which the amplifying and rectifying operations of the circuits and the devices is effected. I

Under some conditions, it may be found desirable to use transformer couplings for increasing the potential in the circuit utilizing the rectified current from the cathode and heating element of the translating devices instead of the resistance couplings through the use of the potentiometers 33 and 34 as shown in Fig. 1. For this purpose, reference is made to Fig. 2, which shows a circuit similar to that in Fig. 1, in substantially all respects but in which the potentiometers are replaced by a transformer-39 having the opposite ends of the primary 40 connected to the power circuit wires 41 and 42 respectively. while the secondary .43 is connected to the rectified current circuit wires .44 and 45 respectively.- The circuit wires 44 and 45 correspond respectively with the wires 7 and 10 of Fig. 1, and are connected to the movable contacts 46 of a pair of potentiometers 47 and 48 respectively which serve as a controlling means for the potentials across the transformer terminals. Capacities 49 are interposed in the circuits across the terminals of the transformer primary and secondary winding to have a primary filtering operation on the rectified current in order to reduce the ripple effect therein.

Suitable filtering choke coils 50 and condensers 51 are connected in circuit in the manner shown between the wires 44 and 45, the same as in the circuit diagram of Fig. 1.

The circuit shown in Fig.2 includes a shieldwhich is electrically connected by the circuits 53 to the grid return circuit of the devices through the capacities 54. This shielding circuit forms a means of discharging undesired currents in the system for the purpose of preventing any possibility of the hum caused by alternating currents as well as for discharging static charges commonly received in amplifying systems. This shielding circuit will therefore, as illustrated .in Fig. 2, further increase the advantageous, results produced by the filtering circuit so as to reduce the tendency of reproduction of undesired sound.

Referring to Fig. 3, a system is illustrated utilizing the three types of circuit for receiving radio energy with three translating devices indithe cathode and the heating element of each device and in the circuit arrangement shown, two of these devices particularly 55 and 56 respectively, are used for rectifying each half wave of an alternating power supply from the wires 60 and 61 which is effected through the connection of the cathodes 59 of the devices 55 and 56 with the opposite stationary terminals of the potentiometer 62 while the movable contact 63 is connected with one circuit wire 64 of the filter and rectified current circuit.

The other circuit wire 65 of the rectified cur rent circuit is electrically connected to the movable contact 66 of' the potentiometer 6'7 having the stationary terminals thereof electrically connected with the power wires 61 and 60 as illustrated. The device 57 has the cathodes thereof electrically connected through the wire 68 with the cathode 59 so that it also cooperates with the device 56 in the rectification of one-half of the current waves. In other respects the circuit connection and the operation thereof is the same as shown in Fig. l, the circuit in Fig. 3 illustrating a method of using half wave rectifiers for full wave rectification of a power current supply of the character above mentioned to secure the operation of an amplifying system for radiant energy and in which the rectified current-is used to provide the source of potential which is impressed in the plate circuit of each of the translating devices as shown.

The translating devices for use with the circuit arrangements as above set forth have been principally those which the elements contain in a high vacuum type of tube, and it has been found and is within the scope of this-invention through operation of circuits of the above type, with a gas filled translating device, and for this purpose reference is made to Fig. 4, illustrating diagrammatically the circuit arrangements of an amplifying circuit for gas filled tubes which are indieated at 68, 69 and '70, respectively. A three cireuit type of amplifier of simple construction is illustrated, in which the cathode ofeach tube is indicated at 71 which is electron emitting as in the case of the cathode used in the tubes above mentioned andfunction in the manner described.

The heating elements in the gas filled tubes comprises the use of a pair of plates 72 which are mounted in spaced relation within the sleevelike-cathode 71 which maybe constructed in the manner as illustrated in my copending application above mentioned.

Similar plates 72 of each pair are connected to the same circuit wire so that one plate of each pair 72 in each translating device is connected to the opposite terminal of a source of power suppliedthrough the wires 73 and 74 respectively, which is preferably of an alternating character.

As a result, the charge is maintained on the plate 72 and the conductivity of the gas between the plates provides a heating thereof in the presence of the gas which is transmitted to the cathode 71 for providing the proper temperature of the cathode for the' electron emitting functions thereof.

The cathodes 71 are interconnected as illustrated in Fig. 4, with one side of the rectified current potential supply '75 while the opposite circuit wire 76 receives the connections from the plates of the translating devices in the usual manner, with suitable filtering means as above described interposed between the wires '75 and 76. The wire 76 is connected with the movable contact 77 of the potentiometer 78, the terminals of which are connected across the power circuit wires '13 and 74 as illustrated.

It should be understood from this description that in each of the circuit arrangements shown, a three circuit system has been illustrated for the purposes of showing the method of employing the electron discharge devices in radio frequency amplifying circuits, the detecting circuits, and audio frequency amplifying circuits. While this character of an amplifying system is disclosed, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to these particular forms of circuits but may be employed with any form of receiving or transmitting circuit for radiantenergy or any other circuit or system employing translating devices of this character for functioning in the well known manner in which the three element tube common in the art is now used. It should thereby be apparent that this invention comprehends the provision of a fourelement tube having a cathode and a heating element provided for special cooperation in order to provide a triple function, first, the operation of receiving or transmitting systems including amplification of'both audio and radio frequencies as well as rectification between these frequencies and the second, the operation of the system from the now generally known and employed power circuit for house lighting purposes as used in big cities on either direct current or alternating potential instead of requiring the use of specially constructed storage battery systems with charges operating on low voltage or potentials or from suitable devices known in the art as eliminators which are now used for reducing the potential of the power circuit mentioned and providing the type of current normally supplied by secondary batteries as above suggested; and third, the provision of an independent system of current rectification between the heating electrode and the cathode in which the cathode functions as an anode in view of the electron flow from the heating element toward the cathode so that the power from the city power circuits as above described may be rectified to produce the proper character of energy and potential for the efficient operation of radiant energy systems or other electrical systems of a similar character now used in the art.

-In addition, a new principle is employed in obtaining a negative grid bias in the input circuits of electron discharge devices through the use of capacities as indicated at 38 in Fig. 1, which may be used to replace the usual biasin battery for the purpose of impressing this negative potential on the grid of these devices.

In place of the potentiometer control of Fig. 1, it is to be understood that a fixed resistance or resistances or a plurality of variable resist- 'ance may be substituted in providing a resistance coupled circuit as distinguished from an inductively coupled circuit.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is:--

1. In a rectifying and amplifying circuit the combination comprising an audion having grid and plate electrodess, a two part cathode emitter and a heater for said emitter, said heater being adapted to be connected directly to a source of alternating current, an input circuit including said grid and emitter, and an output circuit including said plate and emitter, said two part emitter and said heater cooperating to effect full wave rectification of the alternating current which is impressed on said plate.

2. In a rectifying and amplifying circuit the combination comprising an audion having grid and plate electrodes, a two part cathode emitter and a heater for said emitter, said heater being adapted to be connected directly to a source of alternating current, a high resistance connected across said heater, an input circuit including said grid which is connected to the approximate center of said resistance, a connection between the two parts of the emitter including a high resistance'and an output circuit including a connection from the plate to the approximate center of said second resistance, whereby the alternating current is fully rectified and applied to said plate.

3. An amplifying and rectifying circuit comprising at least one audion having a grid, a plate and a two part cathode emitter comprising adjacent sleeves, a third sleeve surrounding the adjacent ends of said two sleeves, a heater for the emitter, an alternating current circuit connected directly to said heater, a resistance connected across said heater, a connection from the resistance to the plate, and a connection from the third sleeve to the grid.

4. The combination comprising a variable current amplifying system including an audion having a two-part cathode emitter, a heater for said emitter, a grid and plate, an impedance connected across said heater, an impedance connected across the two-part emitter, an input circuit connected to the grid and the impedance across the two-part emitter, an output circuit connected between the plate and the impedance connected acrossthe heater, and a filter system connected to the impedances whereby the grid bias potential is provided from the potential in the plate circuit.

5. The combination with a variable current amplifying system including an audion having a two-part cathode emitter, aheater for said emitter, a grid and plate, an input circuit ineluding said grid and an output circuit including said plate, of rectifying means energized from an. alternating current source and connected to the grid and plate circuits for supplying a plate potential and a grid biasing potential.

MICHEL E. MACKSOUD. 

